Strawberry plant named ‘BG-9.3147’

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘BG-9.3147’. This new strawberry plant named ‘BG-9.3147’ is primarily adapted to the growing conditions of the central coast of California, and is primarily characterized by its achenes typically set below the surface of the fruit, very good fruit flavor with firm flesh, moderately creased fruit, early time of first flower and fruit, medium plant size with medium yellow green foliage; and strongly pubescent fruiting trusses with hairs typically positioned strongly outward.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Fragariaananassa.

Variety denomination: ‘BG-9.3147’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry varietynamed ‘BG-9.3147’. This new variety is a result of a controlled crossmade in 2009 in an ongoing breeding program between strawberry varietydesignated ‘Ventana’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,203) as the seed (female)parent, and strawberry variety designated ‘BG-1975’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.17,725) as the pollen (male) parent. The variety is botanically known asFragaria ananassa.

The seedling resulting from the aforementioned cross was selected from acontrolled breeding plot in Ventura County, Calif. in the winter of2011. After its selection, the new variety was asexually propagated bystolons in both Siskiyou County, Calif. and San Joaquin County, Calif.The new variety was extensively tested over the next several years infruiting fields in Ventura County, Calif. This propagation hasdemonstrated that the combination of traits disclosed herein ascharacterizing the new variety are fixed and remain true-to-type throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘BG-9.3147’ is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditionsof the central coast of California. The nearby Pacific Ocean providesthe humidity and moderate temperatures needed to produce a strong,vigorous plant and maintain fruit quality during the winter and springproduction months.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘BG-9.3147’, which in combinationdistinguish this strawberry plant as a new and distinct variety:

-   -   1. Achenes typically set below the surface of the fruit;    -   2. Very good fruit flavor with firm flesh;    -   3. Moderately creased fruit;    -   4. Early time of first flower and fruit;    -   5. Medium plant size with medium yellow green foliage; and    -   6. Strongly pubescent fruiting trusses with hairs typically        positioned strongly outward.

The strawberry variety that is believed to be most closely related tothe new variety ‘BG-9.3147’ is ‘BG-3.324’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,256).In side-by-side comparisons to the similar strawberry variety‘BG-3.324’, ‘BG-9.3147’ differs by the following combination ofcharacteristics as described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 ‘BG-3.324’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. Characteristic ‘BG-9.3147’23,256) Fruit: marketable yield (gm/pit) 1,122 1,049 Fruit: seasonaverage size (gm) 28.2 29.1 Fruit: flavor Very good Good Terminal leaf:serrations per leaf 19.5 16.8 Foliage: color of upper surface Mediumyellow Ranges from light to green medium yellow green Fruiting truss:anthocyanin Weak Medium intensity Fruiting truss: pubescence StrongMedium Disease reactions: Fusarium wilt Moderately Susceptible resistant

For identification, a series of molecular markers have been determinedfor this new variety.

‘BG-9.3147’ differs from its parents, ‘Ventana’ and ‘BG-1975’ by thefollowing combination of characteristics as described in Tables 2 and 3.

TABLE 2 ‘Ventana’ (U.S. Characteristic ‘BG-9.3147’ Plant Pat No. 14,203)Fruit: size Large Medium Fruit: marketable yield Ranges from Mediummedium to high Plant: vigor Medium Ranges from medium to large Fruit:flavor Very good Fair

TABLE 3 ‘BG-1975’ (U.S. Characteristic ‘BG-9.3147’ Plant Pat. No.17,725) Fruit: size Large Medium Fruit: marketable yield Ranges fromMedium medium to high Disease reactions: Moderately resistantSusceptible Fusarium wilt Fruit: evenness of surface Ranges fromslightly Slightly uneven to strongly uneven

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance oftypical specimens of the new strawberry variety ‘BG-9.3147’ at variousstages of development, as true as it is reasonably possible with colorreproductions of this type. Color in the photographs may differ slightlyfrom the color value cited in the botanical descriptions whichaccurately describe the color of ‘BG-9.3147’. The depicted plant andplant parts of the new strawberry variety ‘BG-9.3147’ are approximatelysix months old. The photographs were taken in Ventura County, Calif.

FIG. 1 shows typical fruiting field characteristics of ‘BG-9.3147’,taken in the month of March 2019;

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of a typical plant of ‘BG-9.3147’, taken inthe month of March 2019;

FIG. 3 shows typical mature and immature field fruit of ‘BG-9.3147’,taken in the month of March 2019; and

FIG. 4 shows typical internal and external mature fruit characteristicsof ‘BG-9.3147’, taken in the month of March 2019.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new variety ‘BG-9.3147’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The characteristics of the new variety‘BG-9.3147’ may vary in detail, depending upon variations inenvironmental factors, including weather (temperature, humidity andlight intensity), day length, soil type and location. In addition, thecharacteristics of any parental variety or comparison variety includedin Tables 1, 2 and 3 of the present invention may vary in detail,depending upon variations in environmental factors, including weather(temperature, humidity and light intensity), day length, soil type andlocation.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following descriptionof the new variety ‘BG-9.3147’, unless otherwise noted, are based onobservations taken during the 2019 growing season in Ventura County,Calif. These measurements and ratings were taken from plants of‘BG-9.3147’ dug from a high-elevation nursery located in SiskiyouCounty, Calif. during early October 2018 and planted approximately fourto five days later in Ventura County, Calif. The approximate age of theobserved plants is six months. Yield observations including averageweight and marketable yield, along with fruit quality characteristicsincluding soluble solids, are averaged from five years of data collectedfrom the 2014 through 2018 growing seasons. Flower measurements andcharacteristics are from secondary flowers unless otherwise noted. Fruitcharacteristics and measurements are from secondary fruit, unlessotherwise noted.

Where noted, color terminology follows The Royal Horticultural SocietyColour Chart, London (2007).

The following characteristics describe fruit, plant, stolon, foliage,fruiting truss, flower, reproductive organs and pest and diseasecharacteristics of the new strawberry ‘BG-9.3147’.

-   Fruit characteristics:    -   -   Color of mature fruit.—RHS 46A (red).        -   Color of internal flesh (excluding core).—RHS 45C (medium            red).        -   Color of core.—RHS 38B (medium red).        -   Average length (cm).—4.2.        -   Average width (cm).—3.9.        -   Size.—Large.        -   Average length/width ratio.—1.08 (ranges from as long as            broad to slightly longer than broad).        -   Average calyx diameter (cm).—4.6.        -   Season average weight (gm).—28.2.        -   Achene color, shaded side.—RHS 153C (yellow green group).        -   Achene color, sun-exposed side.—RHS 185A (greyed purple            group).        -   Average achene weight (mg).—0.42.        -   Average achenes per berry.—400.        -   Season marketable yield (gm/plant).—1,122.        -   Predominant shape.—Cordate (cordiform).        -   Difference in shape between primary and secondary            fruit.—Ranges from moderate to large.        -   Band without achenes.—Narrow.        -   Evenness of surface.—Ranges from slightly uneven to strongly            uneven.        -   Evenness of color.—Even or very slightly uneven.        -   Glossiness.—Ranges from medium to strong.        -   Insertion of achenes.—Below surface.        -   Position of calyx attachment.—Inserted.        -   Attitude of sepals.—Outward.        -   Size of calyx in relation to fruit diameter.—Slightly            larger.        -   Adherence of calyx (when fully ripe).—Strong.        -   Firmness of flesh.—Firm.        -   Distribution of red color of the flesh.—Marginal and            central.        -   Hollow center expression.—Moderate.        -   Flavor.—Very good.        -   Soluble solids (% brix).—7.5.        -   Time of first flowering.—Early (late November in Ventura            County, Calif.).        -   Time of first fruit.—Early (late December in Ventura County,            Calif.).        -   Harvest period.—Late December to May (in Ventura County,            Calif.).        -   Harvest maturity.—Early season (March).        -   Type of bearing.—Not remontant.-   Plant characteristics:    -   -   Average height (cm).—20.0.        -   Average spread (cm).—33.7.        -   Size.—Medium.        -   Habit.—Upright.        -   Density.—Medium.        -   Vigor.—Medium.-   Stolon characteristics:    -   -   Color.—RHS 146D (yellow green group).        -   Anthocyanin coloration.—RHS 182C (greyed red group).        -   Anthocyanin intensity.—Ranges from weak to medium.        -   Pubescence.—Dense.        -   Attitude of hairs.—Slightly outward.        -   Average quantity in nursery (per square foot).—5 to 6            (medium).        -   Average diameter at the bract (mm).—3.1 (medium).-   Terminal leaflet characteristics:    -   -   Average length (cm).—5.6.        -   Average width (cm).—5.3.        -   Average area terminal (cm ²).—29.6.        -   Average length/width ratio.—1.04 (longer than broad).        -   Shape of base.—Obtuse.        -   Margins (shape of teeth).—Obtuse (serrate to crenate).        -   Average serrations per leaf.—19.5.-   Foliage characteristics:    -   -   Color of upper surface.—RHS 146A (medium yellow green).        -   Color of underside.—RHS 147C (yellow green group).        -   Number of leaflets.—3.        -   Leaf size.—Ranges from medium to small.        -   Average length (cm).—8.2.        -   Average width (cm).—11.3.        -   Average area foliage (cm ²).—92.6.        -   Shape in cross section.—Slightly concave.        -   Interveinal blistering.—Ranges from medium to strong.        -   Leaf glossiness.—Ranges from medium to strong.        -   Leaf variegation.—Absent.-   Petiole characteristics:    -   -   Petiole color.—RHS 144B (yellow green group).        -   Average length (cm).—12.1.        -   Average diameter (mm).—2.8.        -   Petiolule color.—RHS 144B (yellow green group).        -   Petiolule average length (mm).—4.6.        -   Attitude of hairs.—Strongly outward.        -   Frequency of bract leaflets.—Ranges from few to none (0%            occurrence).        -   Size of bract leaflets.—N/A.        -   Pubescence.—Ranges from heavy to moderate.-   Stipule characteristics:    -   -   Color.—RHS 145D (yellow green group).        -   Anthocyanin coloration.—RHS 55B (red group).        -   Anthocyanin intensity.—Weak.        -   Average length (mm).—12.8.        -   Average width (mm).—10.0.-   Fruiting truss characteristics:    -   -   Anthocyanin coloration.—RHS N170C (greyed orange group).        -   Anthocyanin intensity.—Weak.        -   Average length at maturity (cm).—21.6.        -   Position relative to foliage.—Ranges from level with to            above.        -   Flower quantity (average per plant season long).—50 to 60            (medium).        -   Pedicel attitude of hairs.—Strongly outward.        -   Pubescence.—Strong.        -   Attitude at first pick.—Prostrate.-   Flower characteristics:    -   -   Petal color.—RHS NN155C (white group).        -   Sepal color.—RHS 137A (green group).        -   Corolla (flower) average diameter (mm).—28.8 (ranges from            medium to large).        -   Calyx average diameter (mm).—39.2.        -   Petal average length (mm).—11.1.        -   Petal average width (mm).—11.4.        -   Petal average length/width ratio.—0.97 (as long as broad).        -   Average petals per flower.—6.9.        -   Sepal average length (mm).—15.1.        -   Sepal average width (mm).—5.7.        -   Sepal average length/width ratio.—2.65.        -   Average sepals per flower.—14.6.        -   Size of calyx relative to corolla.—Larger.        -   Size of inner calyx relative to outer calyx.—Same.        -   Relative position of petals (flowers with 5 or 6            petals).—Overlapping.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Receptacle color.—RHS 147C (yellow green group).        -   Pollen color.—RHS 14A (yellow orange group).        -   Stamen.—Present.        -   Pollen amount.—Abundant.-   Disease and pest reactions:    -   -   Powdery mildew (sphaerotheca macularis).—Moderate.        -   Angular leaf spot (xanthomonas fragariae).—Susceptible.        -   Botrytis fruit rot (botrytis cinerea).—Moderately            susceptible.        -   Fusarium wilt (fusarium oxysporum).—Moderately resistant.        -   Anthracnose crown rot (colletotrichum            fragariae).—Susceptible.        -   Two-spotted spider mite (tetranychus urticae).—Moderately            susceptible.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct strawberry plant named ‘BG-9.3147’, asherein described and illustrated.